South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir issued a presidential decree appointing Khamis Abdel-Latif Chawoul Lom as Director General for South Sudan Radio and Television in the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

The position has been vacant for a long period of time following the removal of former Director General of Radio and Television Arob Bagat. 

Khamis Abdel-Latif had served as Security Advisor at the Ministry of Interior before being dismissed and then appointed to the Police Service by Kiir in November 2013.

He was detained along with the 11 high-level political detainees in December, but was later released on the recommendation of an investigation committee headed by the Justice Minister.

Kiir issued another decree removing the Managing Director of the South Sudan Urban Water Corporation Chamjok Choung Wichtuor and replacing him with Yar Paul Kuol as new managing director.

Chamjok had served as managing director since his appointment by President Kiir in November 2011.

The executive orders went into effect from 5 September, announced on South Sudan Television (SSTV) on Friday.

South Sudan’s national television and radio typically broadcast information about government events and state visits and messages for military mobilization and morale.

The state media service has limited reach because of lack of infrastructure and destruction of radio equipment in Malakal, Bor and elsewhere since December 2013.

It nonetheless has played a key role in spreading messages about the alleged coup d’etat attempt that served as the basis for justifying government war efforts.

File photo: Salva Kiir appears in military uniform during an address on SSTV on 16 December 2013, in which he referred to a 1991 massacre and ongoing security operations in Juba

Related coverage:

Timeline: media struggle in South Sudan (18 Aug.)